Today, our Grade 11 students planned a meaningful Remembrance Day assembly. They came together to recognize the various efforts of Canadian people who have served in the Canadian Military or in conflicts around the globe. Many people paid the ultimate sacrifice, and others bear the visible physical or invisible emotional scars of war.

The short formal assembly was led by Rebecca Laskin and Jillian Marks. They explained that that the research done by the Grade 11 students touched on a variety of topics, including women working in factories to support the war effort, Indigenous soldiers fighting on the front line, the major battles of the World War, and the peacekeeping efforts in the Golan Heights. They also stated that, as Canadians, it is our mission to be a beacon of light in the world, and to be progressive global citizens who treat those around us with kindness and respect, valuing all the unique attributes that make us diverse. They challenged us to always practise menschlichkeit wherever we go.

After the assembly, the students walked the lower halls, viewing the touching projects created by the Grade 11 students who were on-hand to answer any questions.

The Chief Rabbi of Poland addresses students at a school-wide assembly

King David was honoured to welcome the Chief Rabbi of Poland, Rabbi Michael Schudrich, to our school on Thursday. Accompanied by Arnold and Herb Silber who generously sponsored this opportunity, students were fascinated by the stories Rabbi Michael told. The essence of each experience he shared related to citizens of Poland discovering their Jewish roots and finding their way back to Jewish traditions and religion. Many had grandparents or great-grandparents who had denied their Jewish roots while living behind the Iron Curtain.

Exploring their family roots, Arnold and Herb Silber traveled to Poland, where they met the Chief Rabbi. As Herb introduced Rabbi Michael he described how their visit was documented by a family member and was made into a book, There and Back. Arnold Silber spoke briefly after Rabbi Michael and shared an important message with our students: your grandparents or great-grandparents made the sacrifice to bring your family to Canada, your parents are giving you a Jewish education, and it is now your responsibility as Jews to pay it forward.

Our sincerest thanks to Arnold and Herb Silber for this opportunity with the Chief Rabbi of Poland.

Herb Silber, Rabbi Michael Schudrich, Russ Klein, and Arnold Silber.

Cameron Gorski, Grade 9, then led a short Kristallnacht commemoration. Also referred to as the Night of Broken Glass, Kristallnacht was an attack against Jews throughout Nazi Germany on 9-10 November 1938, carried out by paramilitary German forces and German civilians. The German authorities looked on without intervening. The name Kristallnacht comes from the shards of broken glass that littered the streets after the windows of Jewish-owned stores, buildings, and synagogues were smashed.

Cameron said, "We light this candle today to remember our challenges as being Jews, and at the same time, our ability to overcome those challenges."

REMEMBERING YITZHAK RABIN

Eldad Pelleg keeps the Grade 9 students engaged as he takes them through the exhibit.

On Tuesday, Elad Pelleg, the Habonim shaliach, was at King David, hosting an exhibition on the life and lessons from Yitzhak Rabin’s time as Prime Minister. The focus was on democracy and how to create a forum for dialogue that allows for contradictory ideas to be heard and shared without resulting in violence. The exhibition was engaging and informative and our students learned a lot about Israel in the process.

BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN GAZA AND ISRAEL

On Wednesday, Roni Keidar from Kol Acher, Other Voice, shared her story with our Grade 11 and 12 students. She is active in this group of citizens who live in Sderot and other Israeli communities surrounding the Gaza Strip. Its members come from diverse backgrounds and hold a broad range of opinions and beliefs. People in the region have suffered emotionally and physically from rockets, missiles, and bombing. Other Voice calls for "creative action that will bring about a long-term and real solution to the region… for creative action that will take the civilians out of the circle of violence."

Roni is from Netiv Haasara, a moshav of 700 people just a few feet north of the border with the Gaza Strip. In Roni’s retirement, she decided (in addition to spending time with her grandchildren) to study international relations to help understand the impossible situation they are living in, and to create a new reality of peace and empathy on both sides of the border between southern Israel and Gaza. Roni also helps people from Gaza get medical treatment in Israel.

DO YOU HAVE YOUR TICKET YET?

Our students are compassionate global citizens and feel passionately about helping those impacted by the recent storms in Mexico and Puerto Rico – so they put together a plan. With Random Acts of Chesed Week coming up in November, they decided it was perfect time to plan a benefit concert to raise funds for those in need. Ben Millman and Maya Rae will be performing, along with our King David Jazz Band and other special guests as their opening act.

We would love for you and your whole family to join us for an evening of fun, music, and snacks on November 19 at 7:00 p.m. This invitation is open to the whole community, so tell your friends and bring them along!